3. Listen to major donors and help them feel heard by the organization.

Our job is not to pitch a donor or “sell” her. Instead, it’s a delicate art of asking questions, bringing out our donor’s personal story of why they care.

One of the important roles for board members in major gifts is to simply chat with donors. They can encourage our donor to share their point of view, their hopes and dreams, and their philanthropic vision.

Modern major gift fundraising is completely, totally donor-centered.

We gently let the donor lead the way, while guiding them with questions, suggestions and opportunities to consider.

4. Ask only when you are “cleared” to ask.

We plan our asks carefully in major gift fundraising. We’ll thoughtfully decide when, where, who should go, who should be asked, how much to ask for, and for what project.

We’ll script out the ask. We’ll warm up the donor by asking if they are ready for this type of discussion.

A lot of preparation and deliberation undergirds major asks.

No one ever makes an ask unless they are “cleared.” The strategy team will decide that it’s the right time and that the board member is the right person to ask.

Board members who don’t understand the delicate asking process can shoot themselves in the foot by moving to an ask too quickly. And the donor takes it as an affront. Whoops!

5. Express personal appreciation and help donors understand the impact of their gifts.

It’s all about the thanking process. As my friends at Duke used to say:

The first gift is, hopefully, never the largest!

In fact, the first gift from a potential major donor needs to be an occasion of joy and celebration on the part of both the organization – and the donor.

One of the important roles for board members in major gifts is to help steward donors.

They can help a donor feel deeply gratified by helping sharing the impact their gift is making. They can bring a donor joy.

When board members, as the legal stewards of the organization, express their appreciation to donors, it means so much to donors.

A board member thank you has more power than anything the staff can do.

Bottom Line: Board Member Roles in Major Gifts Fundraising

There are many powerful roles for board members. Everyone should choose their own role where they feel most comfortable. Put them to work in places where they can shine.

https://www.gailperry.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/FeaturePowerfulRolesNEW.png5121024Gail Perryhttps://www.gailperry.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Fired-Up-Horizontal-300.pngGail Perry2018-10-26 09:44:572018-10-26 10:37:39Powerful Roles for Board Members in Major Gifts Fundraising

Want to raise lots of money for your cause?

Join me every week and get my best fundraising strategies and tips!

21,000 subscribers
around the world

Send me the weekly newsletter

Send me occasional special offers & messages

Look for a confirmation email. We can only add you to our list if you confirm your email.
Your information will not be shared.
Privacy Policy

Fundraising Blog Topics

Connect:

Testimonials

I love Gail Perry. She’s so brilliant and so candid.Your session alone at AFP International was worth my registration fee

Vicki AustinDirectorWomen with Children Program at Misericordia University

I really like the way you involve your audience in the discussion with numerous exercises and activities. That really helps people immerse themselves in the topics and creates important buy-in to the subjects discussed.

Jeff WellerBoard ChairRonald McDonald house of the Rio Grande Valley

Your ideas really inspired how I fundraise. They make me more excited about the possibilities.

Anne M. FranDirectorWissahickon Valley Public LibraryPA

It’s difficult to overstate how much I’m enjoying the Insiders! Your energy and warmth and straightforwardness makes the whole idea of working with donors appealing and doable.

Judy Woolen The Livestock Conservancy

Gail, thank you for the excellent information on your blog. Really valuable, no-nonsense approach. I find something of value in every single email.

Loved your workshop, your enthusiasm and brilliance for the work and the material you presented. It was right on and perfectly aligned for me and the needs of my organization. Appreciated very much a window into your mastery.

Stanford SiverAlliance for PeaceBuildingWashington DC

Thank you so much for the fantastic retreat this morning!!! Our board members (and staff) are energized and ready to begin the work ahead.

Carolyn InsleyGBMC Foundation

I so enjoyed your sessions. Very sophisticated information and references delivered in a simple graceful fun style.

Carole Southall TelyanMajor GIfts AdvisorUnited WayW. Connecticut

Thanks so much for a great retreat and leaving us with so much new momentum to go out and raise funds for GBMC. You did an outstanding job.

Doug SmithGreater Baltimore Medical Center Foundation

Love your blog and ideas. They inspire, remind and provide ideas that I use all the time. Your MPI suggestion is a nice was to remember what seems to me one of the very basic parts of what we do. Thanks for the impact you have had on my career.

Eric Billman

Want to Reprint One of Gail's Articles?

You are welcome to if you include the following author credit:

Gail Perry inspires nonprofits around the world with cutting-edge fundraising strategies and new tools to make fundraising more successful and more fun. Find smart strategies to help you raise tons of money at Fired-Up Fundraising.com.